With the BOMBARDIEROMNEO double-deck train, Bombardier adds a new product platform to its EMU double-deck portfolio

A multi-type platform to meet a wide range of needs: from high capacity suburban to a more comfortable intercity, while integrating regional travel

The 129 double-deck trains ordered will operate in the Regions of Aquitaine, Brittany, Centre, Nord-Pas de Calais, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Rhône-Alpes

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation today presented the first OMNEO train to the vice presidents for transportation of various French regions and Guillaume Pepy, Chief Executive Officer of SNCF, at Bombardier’s site in Crespin in Northern France. This new double-deck train, named Regio 2N by the French regions, is wider than conventional EMUs. It offers a new level of passenger comfort through more onboard space, maximum seating, large access platforms with two wide doors, and quiet cars for long journeys. The Regio 2N platform is available in various configurations, from six to 10 cars, with a total length of between 81 m and 135 m. It is capable of travelling at speeds of between 160 km/h and 200 km/h.

Representatives of the Transport Ministry and the Ministry of Industrial Renewal were also present, as well as Lutz Bertling, President of Bombardier Transportation.

Bombardier has built nine test trains to allow the thousands of tests required for homologation to be conducted simultaneously. The fully-fitted Regio 2N train on show is the eighth of these special trains. While waiting for certification, several trains will run test journeys from January 2014 to allow SNCF’s staff to operate them and to check operational reliability before full commissioning.

At Bombardier's site near Valenciennes, the Regio 2N project teams are ready to ensure production and delivery of all 129 trains within only two years.

To date, the regions Aquitaine, Brittany, Centre, Nord-Pas de Calais, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Rhône-Alpes have placed firm orders for 129 Regio 2N trains. The contract allows for a maximum of 860 trains.

“The increasing use of regional trains in France reflects the Regions’ successful efforts to facilitate sustainable and comfortable mobility of their populations,” said Lutz Bertling, President of Bombardier Transportation. “This train is the right choice to meet the future needs of regional transportation not only because of its large capacity, passenger comfort and high performance but also thanks to the many configurations available, such as the InterCity V200 version. Bombardier’s Crespin teams have met an outstanding technical challenge by delivering a completely new industrial product as complex as this one, and in such a short time-frame.”

OMNEO is the latest product of the Bombardier double-deck EMU portfolio. Offering high capacity in densely populated areas and fast speed on intercity rail links, double-deck trains are central to an eco-friendly and comfortable rail transportation, moving millions of people every day. Bombardier’s portfolio is well positioned to meet the demand of market growth in this sector. UNIFE research shows that demand for regional trains should remain high, reaching 4,000 cars per year in the period 2014 to 2016. France, Germany and the UK are forecast to represent more than half of the world’s regional train market. In the regional segment, the share of double-deck trains is increasing due to the constant need for increased capacity.

About Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIERECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we posted revenues of $16.8 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.